If you watching someone you care about slowly disintegrate before your eyes from Alzheimer’s disease, and are feeling helpless to stop it, I hope I can give you some encouragement with this article.
Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of memory loss and dementia in people over 65, and affects over 300,000 people a year. It is devastating for not only the person who is suffering from it – for eventually they will not understand there is a problem, but takes control of everyone around them as they watch the progression from a viable person to a non-functioning one with a terminal illness.
At the onset, those suffering from the disease are frightened as they become aware something is wrong. They become frustrated and angry as they feel themselves becoming more disoriented and confused. As it progresses, simple things like turning a doorknob, or using a screwdriver become complicated. It’s like watching an adult become a child.
The brain tells the body what to do, and when the brain can’t perform that function any longer the body begins to shuts itself down. As the disease progresses there are changes in personality, and eventually the loss of physical function until the brain forgets to tell the body to breathe.
There are drugs and supplements being prescribed that can help to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, like Donepexil (Aricept) a drug that is used to increases the brain chemicals responsible for memory. Natural and homeopathic supplements also can help to play a role in slowing memory loss and brain function, such as:
- Huperzine A: Slow Memory Loss without Side Effects. This is the active ingredient in Chinese herb “Club Mass†which has a similar effect on the brain to the drug donepezil, but without the cost or the nasty side effects like stomach upsets and liver damage. The purified ingredients of “club moss†blocks the breakdown of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter important for memory.
- Vitamin E: known to slow destruction of brain cells as well as build new ones. A regiment of 2,000 milligrams a day is recommended.
- Phosphatidylserine: has been shown to regenerate and reverse the chronological age of brain cells by as much as 12 years, and improving the mental capacity in Alzheimer’s patients with the administration of 300 milligrams per day, divided into 3 doses (with meals is recommended).
While drugs and vitamins are helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s there are other things that can be done to slow the progression as well as prevent the later stages.
Just like any other organ in your body, taking good care of it goes a long way in building healthy tissue. A healthy diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise of the body and the mind play a large part.
- Exercise not only builds up your body and stamina, it opens the circulation of the blood to allow more oxygen to get to the brain. Part of Alzheimer’s disease is the closing down of pathways that circulate blood, so the more you keep the blood flowing the better your brain will function.
- Nutrition that is high in antioxidants and “brain food†will keep your body and heart healthy. A healthy heart pumps the blood throughout the body and to the brain.
- Brain Exercises continue to stimulate the brain, as well as improve the memory. The neurotransmitters in the brain are the connections that make your brain work, and your memory “click.†Studies have shown that brain exercises and memory games can actually create new connections in the brain, so this is a great reason to show that exercising your brain is just as important as exercising your body. The more you use it the better it will be (The phrase “Use it or lose it†is not just an empty quote).
Alzheimer’s is a progress disease of the brain – that affects the entire body. Because it is progressive, the diagnosis at the onset of Alzheimer’s does not mean the end of life soon. It does mean, however, that there is no time to lose in finding ways to improve the functions of the brain through a variety of different ways.
It will require patience, time, and a full commitment by everyone involved to work together. With a combination of good health and mental stimulation regimes, and a lot of loving help and interaction, Alzheimer’s patients can live the quality of life they deserve for a much longer time.
Resources:
Alzheimer’s Association: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp
Alzheimer’s Training: Enhance the Quality of Life for Patients With Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias: http://www.crisisprevention.com/Resources/Knowledge-Base/Alzheimers-Care-Training?ppc=ITG060DCSE&gclid=CIqcgMrenqgCFQnrKgod0D1OIQ